“Yes.”
She exhales, and her scent blooms with relief. Good. “Then, yes. I’d love to use this kitchen. It’s exactly what I need.”
My chest tightens sharply. The Alpha inside of me roars to life, happy to have provided. Happy to have settled her. Happy to have given her something she needs.
“If it’s all right, can I bring my things over today? So I can get started here fresh tomorrow?” Lia asks.
I stuff down the Alpha inside of me long enough to respond.
“Of course.” Then it hits me. “Oh, these are for you.” I dig around in my pocket before I pull out a set of keys. “These will get you into the building at all hours. Each kitchen has a different lock. The key with the red cap is to get through the front door or any of the side entrances, and the key with the yellow cap gets you into this kitchen. Here.”
She holds out her little hand, and I drop the set of keys into her palm. Her smile is grateful and kind, and it slams into me with such a force that I almost can’t breathe. My mate. My scent-match. Smiling because of something I’ve done.
I feel as if I’m on top of the world.
Lia
Relief settles into my bones the moment Walker presses the keys into my palm.
Not the frantic, desperate kind that leaves me shaking, but the deep, bone-heavy kind that makes my shoulders drop and my lungs finally expand.
Space. Real space. Countertops that stretch instead of crowd. Ovens that hum with potential instead of limitation. A kitchen that doesn’t feel like it’s going to actively fight me every time I try to work.
I can breathe again.
I think that’s also part of the problem.
Layered beneath the relief are their scents. The smell of citrus and honey, grapes and barrels, spring rain and mocha… it fills my nostrils and makes the Omega inside of me shiver. I remember that feeling, being wrapped up in scents that make whimpers and purrs want to slip up my throat.
I can’t do that again.
I’m not suited for a pack any longer.
I’m way too much of a burden.
And yet, it doesn’t stop my instincts from reacting. It doesn’t stop Walker’s presence from steadily grounding me. Hissharpness and his warmth, making me want to bury my face into his chest and let him take the lead.
It doesn’t stop me from thinking about what an enjoyable time I had bowling with Eli and his daughter. How effortlessly they accepted me into their fold and how easy it would be to feel like family with them.
It doesn’t stop me from looking over at Knox, my heart skipping a beat at his bright smile that seems to be threaded with something playful.
All of them make my instincts perk up, whether I want them to or not.
And it doesn’t make things easier that it all feels so right.
I swallow and shift my weight, forcing myself to stay present. I can’t spiral. Not here. Not now. They’re all looking at me with my hand still outstretched, the keys burning an imprint into my palm.
I close my fingers around the set of keys and tuck them into my purse. “This is perfect, Walker. I really can’t thank you enough for letting me use this space.”
Walker nods once, curt and tense, like he’s got something locked away behind his eyes. “We’ll help you bring your things over. Just give us the rundown of what you need from your place.”
We.
My Omega perks at the word as a molten sort of heat runs down my spine. However, it recoils just as fast.
“I—” I start, then stop myself. I do need help. And pretending otherwise won’t make my body stop reacting to them like they belong around me. “That would be great, actually. Thanks. I may need to make another trip to the grocery store as well.”
Walker waves his hand. “I’ve got two other fully stocked kitchens on the premises. We can search through those first.”
